Asparagus harvester



April 6, 1965 D. E. FRANZEN ASPARAGUS HARVESTER 6 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Feb. 14, 1961 ATTORNEYS April 6, 1965 D. E. FRANZEN ASPARAGUS HARVESTER 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 14. 1961 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS April 6, 1965 D. E. FRANZEN ASPARAGUS HARVESTER 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 14, 1961 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS April 6, 1955 D. E. FRANzEN 3,176,456

ASPARAGUS HARVESTER Filed Feb. 14. 1961 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VENTOR @Maf BY y

ATTORNEYS April 6, 1965 D. E. FRANZEN ASPARAGUS HARVESTER 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 14, 1961 INVENTOR BY dj ATTORNEYS D. E. FRANZEN ASPARAGUS HARVESTER April 6, 1965 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Feb. 14, 1961 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,176,456 ASPARAGUS HARVESTER Donald E. Franzen, Monroeville, NJ. Filed Feb. 14, 1961, Ser. No. 89,283 i5 Claims. (Cl. SiS-327) This invention relates to a method and harvester for picking asparagus spears and more particularly to such method and harvester embodied in a mobile asparagus picker which is propelled along the field and which includes a plurality of units each having a sensing, cutting, grasping and conveying or transfer mechanism arranged so that a spear of growing asparagus of marketable, preferably premium grade size, in the path of any one of the units will be sensed by the sensing mechanism, this in turn actuating the cutting mechanism to sever the sensed asparagus spear below ground, the grasping mechanism seizing the cut asparagus spear from opposite sides before it can fall to the ground and elevating it and depositing it gently and butt first into a transverse conveyor serving all of the units.

An important object of the invention is to provide such a method and apparatus for harvesting growing asparagus spears which is very gentle in its action and which, except for the rapid movement of the cutter in severing the asparagus spears below ground is slow and gentle in its action thereby to avoid injury to the spears, particularly their tips.

Another object is to provide such a method and harvester, which is adapted to any accepted cultural practices for asparagus, such as the type and height of the ridge of earth usually progressively built up in asparagus fields primarily for weed control.

Another object is to provide such a method and harvester which is highly selective to pick only growing spears which have reached a predetermined height.

Another object is to provide such a rnethod and apparatus which results in minimum damage bot-h to the spear cut and also to the undersize spears left in the field.

Another important object is to provide such a method and apparatus in which the tender heads of the asparagus spears are never bruised, the cut spears being seized at the base and elevated and then transported butt rst to one or more belt conveyers.

Another object is to provide such a method and apparatus which will cut a wide swathe of marketable asparagus spears and which apparatus travels at a high rate of speed, in the order of three or three and one half miles per hour, so that the asparagus ield can profitably be harvested at frequent intervals to obtain only premium grade spears in prime condition, leaving immature and shorter spears for a subsequent harvesting. By such frequent selective picking of the marketable spears, the strength of the plants is constantly directed to bringing spears to premium grade thereby not only to provide a crop of maximum market value, but also to provide such premium grade spears in maximum quantity since no plant strength is wasted on spears which have reached premium grade.

Another object is to provide such a harvester which will not injure, in fact will not normally even touch such immature shorter spears, but leaves them undisturbed to grow to premium grade.

Another object is to provide such an asparagus picker which is highly selective and which is readily adjustable to pick only spears which have reached the height which the operator has decided to harvest.

Another object is to provide such an asparagus picker in which the spears are, in effect, marshalled into narrow rows by passing between a series of closely spaced vertical fore-and-'ift plates and between which the sensing and cutting of the premium grade spears is effected.

ice

Another object is to fully protect the sensing and cutting mechanisms against injury.

Another object is to provide a rotary grasping and elevating mechanism the bottom part of which moves at a speed and in such direction as to be substantially stationary with respect to the ground thereby to avoid the spear being jerked either forwardly or rearwardly after having been cut but instead gently seizing and elevating the same.

Another object is to provide a method in which the cut spear is gently grasped and swung in a circular path,

utt radially outward, to a. position where it is released butt first for movement in another direction7 all movement being gentle and at a slow uniform speed related to the ground speed of the harvester so as to avoid injury to the spears, particularly the tender tips thereof.

Another object is to provide a method for subsequently transferring the procession of spears, butt rst, from conveyer to conveyor, to marshall the picked asparagus without injury to the tender tips thereof.

Another object is to provide a cutter which is narrow to act only in its assigned zone and avoid injury to adjacent growing spears and which is rapid in its action to quickly and cleanly sever spears of selected height.

Another object is to provide such a cutter which is constructed and arranged so as not to interfere with the mechanism which grasps the cut spear before falling to the ground.

Another object is to provide such a cutter the effective cutting edge of which increases on approaching the base of the spear and diminishes on retreating from the cut spear, thereby to permit the cut spear to be immediately grasped and also to harvest spears, the tips of which are in the path of the sensor but the bases of which are not.

Another object is to provide such a cutter which is essentially operated from motion derived from the forward movement of the harvester, the cutter actuating mechanism essentially merely bringing the cutting edge to cutting position in advance of a selected spear.

Another object is to provide such a cutter which is not subject to damage or duiling by stones, grit or other ground conditions.

Another object is to provide such a cutter in which its cutting edge can be readily replaced in the field.

Another object is to provide a sensing mechanism which is not interfered with by the spear cutting, grasping, or elevating mechanisms.

Another object is to provide such apparatus which is adapted to side hill operation, particularly in point of the spear grasping members which, if not readily ilexible, would quickly bend out of useful shape on side hill harvesting.

Another object is to provide such a harvester in which there is no interference between components for different functions with resultant malfunction, such as the cutter striking and actuating the sensor to recycle these components uselessly and rapidly.

Another object is to provide such a harvester in which each unit is in the form of a separate subassembly readily removable and replaceable in the event of breakdown.

Another object is to provide such a harvester in which dirt, weeds or other foreign matter are continuously being scraped from the operative faces of the rotors which grasp and elevate the spears, thereby to maitain these faces in an operative condition.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and drawings in which:

FIG. l is a perspective view of a harvester for growing asparagus spears embodying and adapted to practice the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical longitudinal section taken generally on line 2--2, FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken verally on line 3--3, FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken generally on line 4-4, FIG. 2. Y

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary generally vertical section taken on line 5-5, FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is an end Yelevational view ofthe outboard extremity of one of the cutters.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged side elevational view of the cutting blade used in the cutter, this being shown as comprising three twisted strands of .010 tungsten steel alloy wire;

FIG.` 8 is an enlarged vertical section taken generally on line SfS, FIG. 6. Y

FIG. 9 isa fragmentary view similar to FIG. 2' and showing a growing asparagus spear of marketable size actuating a sensor and this inturn'actuating the cutter.

gen- Y Y 41'bolted in parallel spaced relation to the frame cross beams 30, 31. For this purpose, as best shown in FIG. 2, each of these brackets 41 is inthe form of a vertical plate extending fore-and-aft and having a front ear 42 bolted, asrindicated at 43, to the frame cross beam'30 and a rearrear 44 bolted, as indicated at 45, to the frame FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 showing the cutting Y completed.V l

FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally on line 11-11, FIGS. 2 and 9.

FIG. 12 is a rear elevational view of part of the group of flexible rotors or Vdisks which grasp the cut asparagus spears from opposite sides and elevate them.

FIG. 13 is a schematic representation of the hydraulic and electrical circuit for each sensor andzcutter.

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary vertical transverse section vtaken generally online 14-14, FIG. 2, but showing only the endless conveyer belts which transport the cut asparagus spears away from the grasping and elevating mechanisms which deposit the Ycut spearsV on the first of these belts.-

and showing the manner in which the return movement of cross beam 3 1.

This cross shaftV39 adjustably supports a plurality of individual picker units, indicated generally at 46, which are arranged side-by-side transversely of the chassis so as to pick rall asparagus spears of the selected height in the path of the asparagus picker between the main longitudinal side beams 25. These picker units are identical in construction and hence a description of one will be deemed to apply to all, the asparagus picker being shown as having sixpicker units.

Each picker unit 46 is mounted on avertically adjustable arm indicated at 47, these arms being arranged sideby-side transversely of the machine and being supported at their forward ends on the cross shaft 39 which can turn in these arms. Each yof these armsV 47 is composed of a pair of closed spaced, parallel, vertical fore-and-aft plates 48 connected along their top at their outboard ends by an integral cross part 49 so as to provide a chamber or way 50, which is open at its front, bottom and rear and contains the mechanism for sensing asparagus spears of predeterminedheight as well as a cutting mechanism for severing such spears of predetermined height from their roots. s

The plates 48 of each of the arms 47 have noses or ele- Y vated prows 51 which project forwardly from the cross FIG. 15 is a fragmentary enlarged view similar to FIG. 2

the cutter operates to reset the switch actuated by the sensor. Y. f Y f FIG. 16 is a fragmentary view similar to-FIG. 2 and showing a modified form of cutter, the cutter being shown in its inoperative position.

FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 16y showing ythe cutter moved to its operative position.

FIG. 18 isa fragmentary vertical section taken generally on line 18-18, FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary vertical section taken generali 1y on line 19--19, FIG. 16.

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary section taken line 20-20, FIG. 17. i FIG. 21 is a transverse section taken generally on line f FIG. 22 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 3 showing a modied form of the invention.

vends by forwardly converging cross beams which form a generally on l lshaft 39 on which the arms 47 are rockably mounted and connectwithan adjusting mechanism indicated generally at'52. As best shown in FIGS. l and 2 theadjusting mechanism for each arm 47 .comprises a nut 53 welded Yto bridgeV a corresponding pair of brackets 41 which support the cross shaft 39, each nut 53 supporting the thread- Vedvertical shank 54 of a handcrank 55. The lower end of each of these Shanks 54 has a rotatable connection 56 40 with one end of a link 58, the lower end of this link being pivotally connected to a cross pin v59 secured to and bridgingv the space between the forward endsof the noses or prows 51 of the side plates 48 of each arm 47. It will be seen that Yturning the crank works the shank 54'up or down in its nut 53, thereby to raise or lower the forward end of the corresponding arm 47 rockably supported on the'cross shaft 39. YThis raises .or lowers 'the rear end of the arm 47 thereby to raise or lower the sensing and cutting mechanism carried by each arm. v

i FIG. 23 is a fragmentary vertical section taken general-YA ly on line' 23-23, FIG. 24.

nose or prow-26 to which a drawbar -28- issuitably con- Ynected and through which the asparagus picker is drawn along the ground by a yfarm Vtractor (not shown). lThe chassis includes la rear cross bar 29 and a pair of parallel closely spaced cross bars 30, 31 near its front end. The rear end of the chassis is supported on an axle 32 jour- 'nalled in axle brackets 33 and supported by groundengagingwheels 34 which Vare fast tothe axle to drive cer-YV tain parts of theasparagus picker as hereinafter described.

The front end of :the chassis is ysupported through theV drawbar 28 on the tractor which is not shown.r Y The numeral 35 represents a'sprocket' fast to oneV end i of the axle 32 and driving, througha chain 36, aisprocket 38 Vfast to one end of a cross shaft 39, the latter being journalled in frame brackets T40 fixed tothe main longivtudinal side frame .beams 25interr`nedia'te the pair of uclosely spaced cross beams (30,31. This cross shaft 39V f is also journalled in a pluralityf of pairs of frame brackets" A cross lshaft 60 is suitably yjournalled in the upper rear part'of each arm 47 to bridge-the space or Way 50 between the side plates 48 thereof. A sprocket 61 is fast to one Yend of each of these cross shafts 60 within the chamber Aor Way 50, this sprocket being connected by a chain 6 2 with a corresponding sprocket 63 fast to the cross shaft-39.V Eachchain 62 passes over idler. sprockets 64' Vand V65 rwhich guide this chain so as to avoid nterference with other parts of the picking mechanism.v

A ilexibleispear grasping and `elevating rotor, indicated generally at 66, is tix'edto the end of-each cross shaft 60 projecting outwardly from theiside plates 48 of each arm47, these flexible rotors-thereby being arranged externally of each'arm47 and the opposite side plates 48 thereof. Theseflexible rotors can Vbegof various forms,

Vtheir essentialY function being to grasp the asparagus spear, immediately following its cutting, from opposite sides, to elevater the same for subsequent transfer to a y fall buttfrst onthis conveyer. To this end each of the f S conveyor sieryingall ofthe arms 47 Vand to release-'it to iiexible rotors 66 is shown as comprising a rubber disk V67 havinga fixed metal hub 68 fast to each end of its cross shaft 6) and havingk an axially Vand outwardlyY curving rim portion, 69 terminating in a radially projecting peripheral portionV 70. It will therefore be seen that each ofthe disks 67 is in the form of a pan-shaped `ting mechanism the pair of flexible disks 67,

rubber disk fixed to the end of its shaft 6i) and having radially projecting peripheral portions, the latter being arranged in generally parallel relation to one another and the outermost extremities of these peripheral portions 7 of each pair of disks 67 being biased axially into normal pressure contact with each other as best shown, in FGS. 3 and 4. For increased sensitivity and rapidity in grasping action, the pheripheral portions 76 of each picking disk 67 are provided with a uniformly spaced series of radial slits 71 extending inwardly lfrom the periphery to a point short of the curving rim portion 69 thereof so as to provide an uninterrupted grasping surface 72 extending completely around each disk at the inner ends of radial lingers 73 provided by these slits 71.

While each pair of rubber disks 67 is mounted so as to normally have axial pressure contact with each other at their peripheries, these disks are spread apart at one side to receive the cut asparagus spears which they are to grasp, this spreading apart being effected by the spaced side plates 48 of the picking arms 47. Thus, the disks are rotated by the chains 62 in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 2 and their sides travel along the exterior of the side plates d and engage the tops of these side plates 48 at about their l0 oclock position. Accordingly, each pair of rubber disks 67 are spread apart beginning at about the 11 oclock position, on encountering the upper ends of the side plates 4S to provide a V-shaped opening 75 between each pair of disks 67, this V-shaped opening or spread of each pair of disks being used for discharging the cut asparagus spears as hereinafter described.

On leaving the lower edges of the plates 4S of each arm 47 the peripheral portions 70 of each pair of rubber disks come together again at about their 6 ociock position. At this point, they grasp the spear of any asparagus spear advancing into the way or chamber Si) and if this spear is of sutiicient height to have been severed by the cutgrasps this spear and lifts it upwardly from the ground. In order to avoid surface friction between the rubber disks 67 and the outer faces of the side plates t8 of the arms 47, rollers 76 are mounted in each side wall 48, the axes of which rollers are radially disposed with reference to their cross shaft 60 and these rollers being arranged to contact the 'continuous contact portion 72 of each liexible disk 67.

Each picking arm 47 has a mechanism for cutting, below ground, spears of asparagus of predetermined height passing through the way or chamber 5t) between the pair of side plates 48 of each arm, each cutting mechanism being shown as actuated hydraulically and being constructed as follows:

The numeral 80 represents a cross pin supported by and bridging the space or way 5t) between the pair of side plates 48 of each picking arm 47. Each pin 80 carries a helical compression spring S1 at each of its ends and interposed between these springs S1 and swingably mounted or journalled on the center of each pin Si? is a pair of cutter arms 82 in the form of metal bars which project rearwardly in the way or chamber Sti and have their rear ends terminating at the rear end thereof. The springs 81 hold the forward ends of each pair of cutter arms 82 in contact with each other as best shown in FIG.

i' 4, and the rear ends and intermediate ends of these arms are separated by a block 83 having opposite pivot pins 84 projecting through these arms and connecting with the depending sides of a yoke S5 at the lower end of the piston rod 86 for a piston contained within a cylinder '88. The upper end of the cylinder 38 is pivotally mounted, as indicated at 89, on a bracket 90 suitably secured to one side wall 43 of the corresponding arm 47.

The cutting edge is preferably provided by a number of metal wires 91 twisted together as indicated in FIGS. '7 and 8 and having their opposite ends secured, as by weldments 92, to the rear extremities of each pair of arms S2. Each of these wires 91 is preferably of 0.010 inch diam- 6 eter and made of a tungsten steel alloy and it has been found that three of such wires twisted together as illustrated and brought below ground so as to encounted the subterranean part of an asparagus spear will rapidly and neatly sever the spear, below ground, from its root.

The use of such twisted wires also permits the bars 82 to each cutter to spread apart and come together in order to avoid contact with the sensor of the sensing mechanism. To this end as the arms 82 move upwardly they contact the salient portions 93 of a pair of cam bars 94, these cam bars 94 having lands 95 at their upper parts which hold the rear ends of the arms 82 together and out of contact with the side plates 48 of the picking arms 47.

When the rear or free ends of the two arms 82 pass beyond the lower ends of the cam bars 94, they are forced apart by the springs 81 the full distance permitted by the twisted cutting wires 91, this not only bringing these wires taut for cutting but also extending the arms beyond the vertical planes of the inside faces the side plates 48 of each arm 46 so that all asparagus spears of adequate height which pass through `the way or chamber 50 within each cutting arm will be severed below ground. It will be noted that by this extension of the effective length of the cutting wires 91, their width of action is greater than the width of the way 50 so as to cut the bases of any spears pulled sidewise into the way, or leaning, so to have its base in whole or in part to one side of the downwardly projected area of the way.

The apparatus for sensing only those asparagus spears which have reached adequate height, preferably of such height as to be of premium grade, is constructed as follows:

The numeral 98 represents a bracket in the chamber or Way 5t) of each arm 47 and suitably secured to one Wall or side plate 46 thereof. This bracket carries a horizontal pivot pin 99 extending transversely of the side plates 48 and supporting a sensing finger 100 which projects downwardly and can be in the form of a rod. At its lower end this sensing finger is shown as provided with a head 101 made of soft resilient plastic material, such as rubber, this head being elongated transversely of the side plates 4S and being of the maximum horizontal length which will clear the arms 82 of the cutter mechanism in the movement of the latter into and out of the chamber or way 5t). Each rubber head 101vcontacts the tip of an asparagus spear of harvesting height and the purpose of making it of soft resilient plastic material is to avoid injury to the tip of the spear. The purpose of making this head of transversely elongated form is to contact the tips of all asparagus spears of harvesting height which enter and pass through the corresponding way Sti.

Each sensing finger 10d is provided with an upwardly extending portion 1(92 carrying a roller or other contact member 103 engaging with a horizontally moving operating member 104 of a normally open microswitch 165 on the bracket 98. It will be noted that by the arrangement of the sensing arm 164B and microswitch 165 as indicated, the microswitch is closed only in respense to horizontal movement of the lower end of the sensing arm 1011 caused by encountering an asparagus spear of harvestable height and that if either arm 82 of the cutter mechanism should strike the rubber head 101 at the bottom of any sensing arm 100, such contact will have no eifect upon the microswitch 10S because it would result in a vertical force being applied to the sensing arm 19t?, and in a horizontal force required to move the sensing arm to close the normally open microswitch 1%5.

The microswitch has a second operating member 106 on the opposite side from the operating member and which is operative to project the first operating member 1M rearwardly and thereby to both positively open the microswitch and also restore the sensing arm 'of a gentle stroking of the. undersizeV asparagus 7 10) to its normal inoperative position; This operating member 106 of the switchV is engaged by the rear face 108 of a lever 109 pivoted at 110 to the bracket 98.

y This lever 109 is provided with a horizontally elongated connects the outlet line from a supply tank 129 of uid under pressure, preferably oil, with a line 130 connected with the top of the cylinder 88, and when closed, the normally closed solenoid valve V123 connects the line 130 to drain 139. When open, a normally open solenoid valve 124 connects the supply line 128 with a line 140 connected with the bottom of the corresponding cylinder 83, and when closed, the normally open solenoid valve 124 connects this line 140 with a drain 141. VThe other sides of the coils of each solenoid valve 123, 124 are connected by a common line 142 for all of the solenoid valves onrthe harvester through a manual switch 143 to a batteryY 144 the opposite side ofvwhich is grounded. i

vThe tip of each spear of asparagus afterbeing cut and beforeA the spear can topple over, are caught byrthe opposed peripheral portions 70 of the corresponding pairV of rubber disks or rotors V67 and which peripheral portions spring toward engagement with each other atthis 4time for the purpose of catching and embracing theV body of the cut asparagus spear. Thisrotor'is travelling in the ,direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 2 with Vits peripheral speed being substantiallypthe same4 as theground speed of the harvester so that the cut asparagus Vspear so'seized is not tugged'or jerked either forwardly or rearwardly on being so seized but is gently lifted by the rising sides of the pair Vof rubber disks which embrace it. These peripheral portions 70 also embrace and gently grasp undersize Vspears which'ar'e not ready Vfor harvesting and are left in the lield, and by having the peripheral speed Vof the disks 67 equal to the ground speed it will be seen that such grasping is in the nature spears and does not result in injury thereto.` Y

stretch 145 of theY cross belt 146 be troughlshaped to properly receive and retain the harvested spearsthereon. This trough-shaped form can be maintained in any suitable manner as by having this belt stretch travel over a Vrow of transverse rollers 157 which, as shown in FIG.

2, can be arranged with their axes at an angle to one another to provide a trough-shaped way Ysupporting this belt stretch 145.

' Operation Y T he asparagus harvester ofthe present invention is designed to harvest only growingV asparagus spears designated at A which have reached a predetermined height,

Y this height being such as to classify the spears as being of premium'grade and which Ygrade commands the highest price.- The harvester rejects the growing spears B which have not reached the heightto classify, them as premiumv grade, these immature spearsbeing left in the iield to grow to premium grade height and to be harvested by the harvester .at a later day. By this means the harvester can be set to cut only premium grade spears and by using the harvester at frequent intervals'during the asparagus harvesting season the entire crop can be harvested as a premium grade crop to;obtain the highest price and with minimum loss of spears. Also by frequent harvesting of Aonly premiumYV grade spears, all of the strength ofthe plants is put rinto-the production of such spears and an increased yield of Isuch premium grade spears is obtained.

- A feature also lies in the asparagus spears being cut a predetermined distance below 4ground is conventional and required vfor premium grade'spears.

Asparagus is commercially planted in rows of substantialwidth.involvingfdifferent methodsv of cultivation, but Vmost generallyinvolvingr building up ridges of Isoil in the rows through the transfer of earth in making furrows between the rows.A The present harvester can be adapted to any method of cultivation, this involving setting the effective height ofthe individual picking arms47 so as to cor- .respond to the method of cultivation or to the particular The rubber disks continue to embrace and holdjeach Y Vcut asparagus spear, with its butt projecting radially outwardly, until the asparagus spear reaches about the ten oclock position of the disks aszviewed in FIG. 2V at Awhich position the peripheral lportions 70 of the ,rubber disks 67 start to separate from each other as indi- V Atthis time the butts Vof the Vcut' catedrat 75 in FIG. 1. H Y asparagus spears are laid down on the upper side of as. indicated at'149, to a'Y bearing bracket 150 fast toone main longitudinal side'frame beam25 andaroundroll- `ers 147, 151 and 152`suitably journalled ina bearing bracket 153 carried by thel opposite main llongitudinal side frame bar '25. These .rollers 147, 151, 152 are iarranged in the relationship shown to provide vertically moving stretchesin the belt 146 which embrace the upper concave lower Vstretch 145 of an endless belt lndicated Y at 146. This belt passes around a roller 148 journalled,

extent of cultivation, i.e. the height of the ridges, at the time of harvesting, this condition varying during the season. Such adjustment is achieved by turning'the various 'KcranksSS in the direction to Iadjust the picking arms-47 up or down .to suit the contour of the iield at the-time of harvesting. Turning these arms, as shown in FIG. 2, moves the screws 54 up or down thereby to naise or lower the front Yend s of the various picking arms 47 -whichpivot Yon the cross shaft 39 and to adjust the rear ends of these arms to the'contour of the eld lengthwise of therows.

When so adjusted the apparatus is ready for use and can be drawn through the .asparagus eld along the successive l'rows thereof by means of a farm tractor (not shown) coupled, to its drawbar 28. The pickingV arms 47 are arranged in closely spaced Aside-by-Vside relation to extend lengthwise ofthe line ofY travel, the spacing between these arms from one another-being only that necessary to permit the pair of rubber disks or rotors 67 to travelalong the exterior faces of the side plates 48 of rthese picking arms. Accordingly as the machine moves along the row of asparagus allof the spears A and'B pass below one or the other of the picking arms 47 Vand the tips of the spears A g enter the lower parts of the chambers orv ways 50 in the ing bracket V159 carriedby theco'rresponding main longitudinal side frame bar'25. The belt 146 moves tr'ansof themachine, receiving the rspears of asparagus butt first from the lower stretch 145V ofthe belt 146 andy elevating them to a suitable receivertnot shown) for transportation from the field. l

' versely of the line of movement of the machinefa'nd the Y Vbelt 156 moves longitudinally ofthe line Vof movement 70l Y p ground speed of the machine andY rotate counter-clockwise vas viewedin FIG. 2 so that the lowermostextremity of each of these disksfis stationary with respect to theground.

several picker arms 47, these chambers or ways being open attheir bottoms for thispurpose. j e. .i

As themachine 'movesV along its'wheels 34,.through the chain 36drivesrthe1shaft 39, this in turn, through the several chains62, driving the shaft 60'of each of the picker arms47. This rotates each pair of the rubber disks .or Yrotors 67 fast to the end of theseshafts'60.V These disks are rotated so that their periphenal speeds are equal to the Undersized spears,v designated as B,y Vtravel through the Yspace under the picking arms 47v and are left to grow to harvestable size. Those spears, designated at A, which are of harvestable size are of sufficient height so that their tips enter the bottom of the way or chamber 50 of one or the other of the picking arms 47 and encounter the rubber head 101 at the bottom of the corresponding depending sensing arm 10i). The lower end of this arm is thereby moved rearwardly with respect to the direction of travel of the machine and its upper extremity 102 is moved forwardly thereby to move forwardly the operating member 104 of the normally open microswitch 105 and also to move its opposite operating member 166 forwardly, this being permitted by the slot 111 in the lever 109 which contaots this last operating member of the switch.

Closing the normally open microswitch 105 opens the normally closed solenoid valve 123 and closes the normally `open solenoid valve 124 associated with the particular picker arm 47 whose sensing arm 100 has been actuated by an asparagus spear A of harvestable size. This permits fluid preferably oil under pressure to flow from pressure line 128 through the now open solenoid valve 123 and line 131i to the top ofthe corresponding cylinder 88. This also permits fluid from the bottom of the cylinder 88 to ilow through line 140 and now closed solenoid valve 124 to its drain 141.

The pressure of the fluid in the cylinder 88 is such as to cause a very rapid downward movement of its piston and the piston rod S6, this downward movement of the piston rod 86 swinging downwardly the rear ends of the two cutter arms S2 between the two plates 48 housing the sensing arm 160 so actuated by the asparagus spear A of harvestable size. As these cutter arms, swinging about the pivot pin Si) ride down the cam surfaces 93 of the cam tracks 94, the springs 81 spread the free or rear ends of these arms so that when these iarms encounter the ground, as illustrated by dotted lines in FIG. 2, their ends are spread apart beyond the vertical planes of the opposing faces of the side plates 48 containing these arms, thereby to embrace the harvestable asparagus spear A even though the base of this spear is in whole or part beyond the extreme side of the path ofthe arm 47. Further this spreading movement of the free ends of the cutters arms 82 tautens the wires 91 connecting the same so as to make them effective in cutting oi the spear below the ground. ln actual practice this cutting off of the spear below ground is a function ofthe forward movement of the entire machine, the hydraulic mechanism serving irnerely to lower the cutter arms 82 and cross wires 91 rapidly to a` point below the ground and the forward movement of the machine serving to cut the asparagus spear so that the asparagus spear is cut below ground perpendicular to its major axis instead of being cut off at an angle. All features of the invention are not, however, limited to the employment of the forward movement of the machine for the actual cutting since this can also be accomplished by appropriate movement of the member providing the cutting edge such as with the modified form of the invention shown in FGS. 16-21. The asparagus harvester developed for the practice of the present invention travelled along the ground at a speed of from approximately three to three and one half miles per hour.

It will be noted, however, that since the cutting edge 91 is moved rapidly in a vertical direction, it will not strike an undersize spear B even if the latter should stand quite closely behind the sensed spear A. Thus it will be seen that a feature of the invention resides in the movement of the cutting edge in an L-shaped path, that is, rst in a rapidly descending vertical direction and then in a horizontal direction to cut the spear off squarely instead of at an angle.

With the asparagus spear A cut as illustrated in FG. 2 and the critter arms 82 in the dotted line position shown, the lower end of the cylinder 83 has been swung counterclockwise to such position that the transversely bent end 112 of the push rod 113, 115 has been pushed to the end of its slot 111 and has swung the arm 1119 counterclockwise a suflicient distance to press and operate the movable part or operating member 1% of the microswitch 105. This not only opens this normally open microswitch but also pushes out the other operating member 104 of this microswitch so as to restore the sensing arm 10i? to its proper pendant position to be actuated by the tip of the next asparagus spear A of harvestable size which it encounters. The opening of the microswitch 16S closes the solenoid valve 123 and opens the solenoid valve 124. Accordingly fluid from the pressure tank 129 and supply line 128 flows through the now open solenoid valve 124 and line 140 to the bottom of the cylinder 83 and iiuid in the top of the cylinder 88 flows through the line 130 and now closes solenoid valve 123 to its drain 139. Accordingly the piston rod 86 is retracted to draw the two cutter arms 82 quickly upwardly to the full line position shown in FIG. 2. In this movement these two arms ride up the opposing cam surfaces 93 of the opposed cam tracks 94 thereby to draw together the free ends of these arms and avoid having high frictional contact with the side plates 48 of the associated arm 47. It will be noted that in this movement the arms pass the head 191 of the sensing arm 10G but since this movement of the cutting arms is lengthwise of the sensing arm 199, that is vertical, even if one of these arms should inadvertently contact the rubber head 101, it would not actuate the microswitch 1115, the operation of this microswitch being in response to a horizontal fore-and-aft movement of the rubber head 1111 only.

As previously explained, the two rubber disks 67 of each picking arm 47 under consideration have been rotating along the exterior faces of its side plates 48, the friction involved in this movement being reduced by the rollers 7d. The peripheries of each pair of these rubber disks 67 are internally biased to contact each other and hence when the peripheries of the pair of rubber disks 67 leave the lower edge of the picker arm 47 under consideration they come into contact with each other and embrace and grasp the cut asparagus spear A. It will be appreciated that this grasping of the asparagus spear follows its having been cut since the peripheries of the rubber disks 67 must be spread apart a sufficient distance to permit the free return of the free ends of the cutting arms S2. It will also be seen that the cam surfaces 93 are effective, in combination with the springs $1, to bring the free ends of the cutting arms 32 together to avoid contact with the peripheries of the rubber disks both when moving to cut the asparagus spear and also in returning to the elevated inoperative position.

The cut asparagus spear A is accordingly frictionally held between the peripheries of a pair of rubber disks 67 and to increase the sensitivity of these rubber disks in the rapid grasping of the cut asparagus spear it is shown as provided with the radial slits 71 providing the radial lingers 73 which are capable of individually coming together as rapidly as they are released from the lower ends of the side plates 48 of each picking arm 47.

The cut asparagus spear A is carried around between the peripheries of its two rubber disks 67 with its tip projecting toward the axis of rotation of these disks and until the spear reaches about a ten oclock position as viewed in FIG. 2. At this position, as shown at 75 in FIG. l, the peripheries of each pair of rubber disks 67 are drawn apart in reengaging the external faces of the side plates 48 of each arm 47. Accordingly the cut spear A of asparagus is released and it falls butt first upon the troughshaped lower stretch of the belt 145, this troughshaped form being maintained by the rollers 157 as shown in FIG. 2. This stretch of the belt is travelling in the direction of the arrow shown in FG. l and since the tip of each asparagus spear is restrained, by one rubber disk 67, from immediate movement along with the stretch 145 of the belt 146, its butt is drawn forwardly and each spear is drawn to a position in which it travels butt rst along on the lower stretch 145 of the belt 146. It will be noted that in this transfer from the rubber disks 67 to lthe cross-belt 146 each asparagus spear is, in eiect,

vhandled only from its butt end, the tip being merely re- Y strained.

Similarly as the asparagus spear travels butt rst over v ttheroller 147, FIG. 14, its butt drops onto the discharge belt 156 and the spear is turned to travel butt irstalong with this belt by reason of the fact that its tip is temporarily restrained from leaving the crossy Ybelt 146. by thestrough-shaped'form of the latter and because the travel gof these two belts is angular with respect to-each other'l Accordingly the asparagus spears travel butt rst up with` the discharge belt 1,56 to be deposited, again butt Vfirst,

upper end ofthe cylinder 88a and to Vrelieve fluid from theY lower end of this cylinder, this being Ithrough the electrical and hydraulic components illustrated in FIG.

l13 and the description of the operation of which is not repeated. This iluid movement rapidly extends the piston rod 86a downwardly thereby to `swing the lever 166 from thehorizontal position shown in FIG. 16 to the de- .pending position shown in FIG.V 17. This also moves the tube170 downwardly since it is pivoted to the outer end of the lever 166 and because of the differential in length betweenrthis `lever 166 `and the link 172, the tube 170 into a suitable receptacle (not shown) for transportation 1 to the cannery or other destination. Y

For purposes of illustration each pairv of rubber disks f 67 are illustrated in FIG. l as carrying at least one or .more asparagus spears, but it will be understood that` such4 conditions do not obtain in actual practice the Yspacing vof harvestable premium grade asparagus spears in the lield fbeing quite sparse as compared with the condition illusitrated.

In FIGS. 16-21 is illustrated a modified form of cutting mechanism which cuts in the opposite direction from that illustrated in the preceding figures, namely, cutting against the direction of movement Vof the machine as compared Awith the preceding ligures.v Y

The numeral 160 represents a llat bracket or plate secured, as by welding, to one ofthe side plates 48 of each Y picking arm 47 above the rear end of the chain 62 within the wayV of chamberY 50. To this supporting plate or rbracket 160 is secured, as by bolts 161, a bracket'162 which projects rearwardly from the Vplate 160 andV has a downwardly projecting rear portion 163. .Near its upper end the bracket 162 is provided with a depending cured by a horizontal pivot pin 89a so'that the lower end of the piston rod86a swings in the direction of travel of the machine when projected. This cylinder connects with the hydraulic lines 140 and 130 in the same manner as with the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-15 and its piston rod 86a is connected through a horizontalpivot 165 with the center: of a lever 166 the upper end of which is pivotally connected, as indicated at 168,V to the Vlower '.is moved from the approximately horizontal position shown in FIG. 16 to about the 45' angular position, with Vreference to the horizontal, shown in FIG. 17. At this Sametime the pin178 leaves contacts with the cam surface 18) of the arm 181 lixed to the lever 166 and leaves the spring 185 free to turn the stem 175` of the cutter blade 1,76. This spring turns this stem until the pin 178 V Vear 164 to which the upper end of a cylinder 88ais seextremity k163 of the bracket 162.Y The lower end of the lever 166, respectively. The pivots 89a, 165, 168, to a tube 170 the forward'end of whichr ispivotally connected, as indicated at 171, to the lower end of 'a link 172. The upper end of this link 172 is pivotally connected, as indicated at 173, to the bracket'162 intermediate the pivotal connections 89a and 168for the cylinder 88a-and the lever 166, respectively.` The pivots 89a, 165,y 168,

169 and 171 and 173 are all parallel, being arrangedV Y horizontally and transversely of the'direction of movement of the machine. The rear end of the tube 170 isopen and rotatably carries the shaft or stern 175 of a ilat transverse cutter blade 176. f f- Y A cross pin 178 of thisV stern 175 rides in a pair of opposite slots 179 in the tube 170 each of which slots eX- tion and there Vis no danger of its striking `reaches the opposite ends of the slots 179 in the tube 170. This turning of the stem brings the cutter blade 176 from the position of being in a generally vertical plane, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 19 to a generally horizontal plane below the'lground as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18. This movement of the cutter blade is suiciently rapid and Vso tirned'that` itsevers the sensed asparagus spear A. V'Either through the pusher rod 113, FIG. 13, or because of the return of the sensing linger V toits normal position, the iluid tov the cylinder 88a is then reversed so that the cutting blade 176 and its arm 166 and link 172 are rapidly elevated to the Vnested inoperative position shown 'in FIG. 16. During this return movement, before the Vcutter blade'176` reaches the bottom edges of the side plates 48 l, of the arm 47, its` pin 178 'contacts the lower cam edge 180 of the arm 181 ofthe lever 166. This re- Ystrains .the pin 178 andhence the further upward movement of the tube v-causes this pin to rotate in the 90 slots 179 thereby to rotate the stem 175 of the knife .blade 176 and bring-the latter toward a generally vertical plane. This also winds up the helical torsionv spring opposite sides of the rubber-head 101 of the sensing ,arm 100. However, no Vdifliculty has been experienced with the ,form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-15 because the mounting of each sensing arm 100 and its action upon the microswitch 195 is such that, even if either arm 82 the direction of the line. of travel.

tends 90 around the tube as best shown in FIG. 21. One' f Yend of the pin 178 projects into the path of the cam surface 180 on a lateral extension 181 Vof the lever 166.

A helical spring is arranged in the tube 170 aroundv the stem 175 and is connected at opposite ends to each to biasthe stem rotatably toward the end `of the slot 179 f in which the knife blade176`is horizontal asshown in FIG. 1S., Y

. The sensing mechanism for controlling the action of the cutting mechanism is the same aswith the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-15 and hence the same reference numerals have been employed. i,

As with the form of the'invention shown in FIGS. 1-15 when the head 101 ofthe depending sensing lingerV Y 100 contacts the tip ofvan asparagus spear A of marketable height, it isl moved horizontally to introduce fluid into the would touch the head 101 in its downward or upward movement it would not actuate or interfere with the sensing movement, the sensing action being a function wholly of Vthe horizontal movement of the sensing linger 100 in In FIGS. 22 and 23. a modiied form` of the rotor 66a "is providediin the form of apair ofrflexiblerubber disks v67tzdesigned to replace the rubberidisks 76 of the form ofthe invention illustrated in FIGS.Y 11-15. Thus instead of the radially projecting lingers 7 3 provided by the radial slits 71 in the Yform of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-15,

the lrubber disks 67aare provided near Atheir peripheries with axially extending lingers 200 which are arranged in opposition to one another .andV can yinterleave as shown. These lingers are shown as integral with the disks67a Y and hence farei-resilient yand yield when the disks are brought into embracing-relation with the spears `as above described'.VV These lingers areprovided Yin a number of series spaced at'di'erent distances inwardly from the periphery of each rotor and hence each spear is grasped by a plurality', of these lingers so that they tend to hold the i' spear in the radial position in whichy it was received.

n From the foregoing it willrbe seen that the'presentiny vention provides a very simple and edective method and apparatus which not only selectively harvests only those asparagus spears of harvestable, and preferably premium size, but also does this in such a manner that not only are the unharvested spears left uninjured to grow to premium grade and be subsequently harvested but also the harvested spear is gently grasped and moved, essentially butt first, to an assembling area with very gentle treatment, especially ot' the tip of the asparagus. It will further be seen that the advantages of the present invention low primarily from the relation of the cutting and sensing mechanisms to the axial opening and closing action of the peripheral lips of a pair of rubber or flexible bodied rotors, it being essential for this purpose that the sensing mechanism be interposed between these peripheral lips at a point where they open up or spread to embrace the spear to be cut, and it also being essential that the cutting mechanism be so actuated with reference to these rotors that its cutting edge rapidly darts below the surface of the ground to sever the sensed asparagus spear in synchronism with the closing of the peripheral lips of the rotor so that the severed spear is gently caught by the rotors and does not fall to the ground. lt will also be noted that in the modified form of the invention shown in FIGS. 22 and 23 the opposed axially projecting small iiexible rubber fingers tend to hold the cut asparagus spears in the position in which they are originally received between the two rubber disks.

I claim:

l. An asparagus harvester, comprising a wheeled frame movable along an asparagus eld, sensing means on said frame arranged to be actuated by tips of growing asparagus spears of predetermined height, means movably mounted on said frame providing a cutting edge extending transversely of the line of travel of the harvester in position to sever at its base the spear actuating said sensing means, means actuated by said sensing means and moving said means providing said cutting edge along said line of travel of the harvester to engage and sever the base only of the spear sensed thereby to cause it to fall by gravity toward the ground, means on said frame arranged to catch, subsequent to said severing, the spear severed by said means providing said cutting edge before falling liat on the ground, means moving said spear catching means at a speed much slower than said means providing said cutting edge to a receiving station, and means actuating said spear catching means to release said spear at said receiving station.

2. An asparagus harvester, comprising a wheeled frame movable along an asparagus eld, sensing means on said frame arranged to be actuated by tips of growing asparagus spears of predetermined height, means movably mounted on said frame providing a cutting edge extending transversely of the line of travel of the harvester in position to sever at its base the spear actuating said sensing means, means actuated by said sensing means and moving said means providing said cutting edge along said line of travel of the harvester to engage and sever the base only of the spear sensed thereby to cause it to fall by gravity toward the ground, means on said frame arranged on opposite sides of the spear being severed and movable toward each other into Contact with said spear to grasp, subsequent to said severing, the spear before faling flat on the ground, means moving said spear grasping means to transfer said spear to a receiving station, and means actuating said spear grasping means to release said `spear at said receiving station.

3. An asparagus harvester, comprising a wheeled frame movable along an asparagus field, sensing means on said frame arranged to be actuated by tips of growing asparagus spears of predetermined height, means movably mounted on said frame providing a cutting edge extending transversely of the line of travel of the harvester in position to sever at its base the spear actuating said sensing means, meansactuated by said sensing means and moving said means providing said cutting edge along said line of travel of the harvester to engage and sever the base only of the spear sensed thereby to cause it to fall by gravity toward the ground, a pair of concentric disks of soft, resilient flexible material journalled on said frame on opposite sides of the spear being severed and having peripheral portions biased axially toward each other and arranged to contact and grasp opposite sides of the spear being severed before falling iiat on the ground, said means providing said cutting edge being arranged, in the inoperative position thereof, directly between the axis of said disks and said peripheral portions thereof, means spreading said peripheral portions apart just before reaching the spear being severed and providing a space in which said means providing said cutting edge moves to so sever the base only of said spear and to return to said inoperative position, means rotating said rotors to bring said grasped spear to a receiving station, and means at said receiving station spreading said peripheral portions apart to release the spear.

An asparagus picker as set forth in claim 3 wherein antifriction rollers are mounted to protrude from the face of each plate along which said corresponding peripheral portion passes to reduce friction between said plates and peripheral portions.

5. An asparagus picker, comprising a wheeled frame movable along an asparagus field, a pair of spaced vertical plates on said frame extending lengthwise of the line of movement of said frame to receive between them the tips of asparagus spears growing in said field, sensing means arranged adjacent said plates to be actuated by tips of growing asparagus spears of predetermined height passing between said plates, means arranged between and movably mounted on said plates providing a cutting edge extending transversely of the line of travel of the harvester in position to sever at its base the spear actuating said sensing means, means actuated by said sensing means and moving said means providing said cutting edge along said line of travel of the harvester to sever the base only of the spear sensed thereby to cause it to fall by gravity toward the ground, means arranged to catch, subsequent to said severing, the spear severed by said means providing said cutting edge before falling fiat on the ground, said means providing said cutting edge being arranged, in the inoperative position thereof, directly between the axis of said disks and said peripheral portions thereof, means moving said spear catching means at a speed substantially slower than said means providing said cutting edge to a receiving station, and means actuating said spear catching means to release said spear at said receiving station.

6, An asparagus picker, comprising a wheeled frame movable along an asparagus field, a first horizontal transverse shaft journalled on said frame, at least one pair of spaced vertical plates journalled on said shaft to extend lengthwise of the line of movement of said frame to receive between them the tips of asparagus spears growing in said field, sensing means including a sensor arranged between said plates to be actuated by tips of growing asparagus spears of predetermined height passing between said plates, a cutter arranged between `and movably mounted on said plates in position to sever at its base the spear actuating said sensing means, means actuated by said sensing means and moving said cutter to sever the spear sensed thereby, a second horizontal transverse shaft journalled on said plates to extend transversely of said line of movement of the frame, a pair of rotors fixed to said second shaft immediately outside said pair of plates and having flexible peripheral portions biased axially toward each other, and means driving said second shaft from said first shaft, and means rotating said shafts in the direction and at a speed so as to effect little relative movement between the ground and the sides of said peripheral portions nearest the ground, said plates permitting said peripheral portions to spring together at the zone of action of said cutter to grasp the cut spear from opposite sides and to carry it away from said zone of action of movable along an asparagus field, a cutting member,V

means movably supporting said cutting member on said frame for downward and upward movement toward and from theV ground, and means rapidly moving said cut-ting member downwardly to bring its cutting edge in front of the base of a spear of asparagus in the field to sever said spear in response to the forward movement of said frame.

8. An asparagus picker comprising a Wheeled frame, a sensing member mounted .on Ysaid frame to move in a horizontal direction at an elevation to ltouch growing spears of predetermined height and to be moved horizontally rearwardly thereby with reference to said frame, a cutting member arranged adjacent said sensing member, means movably supporting said cutting member on said frame for downward and upward movement toward andVv from the ground, means rapidly moving said cutting mem` ber downwardly to bring its cutting edge into engagement with the base of a spear of asparagus inthe field, an actuatorvmember, means moving said actuator member in one direction by said sensing member and in the opposite' direction by the upward movement of said cutting member and means, actuating said cutting member in response to the movement ofrsaid actuator member in said one direction, said upward movement of said cutting member positively'resetting said actuator member.

9. In an asparagus picker having a wheeled frame movable along an asparagus field, the combination therewith of a cutter-comprising a pair ofgenerally parallel arms pivoted at corresponding ends on said frame to swing about a horizontal axisextending transversely of the line of movement of said frame, a cutting member connecting the free ends of said arms, and means rapidly driving said free ends of said arms downwardly to bring said cutting member in front of the base of a spear of asparagus in the field to sever said spear at said base.

10. The combination set forth in claim 9 wherein said cutter is in the form of `a flexible Wire. Y

11. The combination set forth 'in claim 9 wherein means are provided for moving said free ends of said arms towardA and from each other during their movement toward and kfrom the base of a spear of asparagus.

12. In an apparatus picker lhaving a Wheeled frame movable along an asparagus field, thevcombination therewith of means for cutting growing asparagus spearsk of predetermined height at their bases, comprising a plurality of parallel vertical plates on said frame extending lengthwise of the line of movement thereofY to travel over the growing -asparagus spears, Va Vpair of generally parallel arms larranged between each pair of said plates-and pivoted to swing about a horizontal axis extending transversely of the line of movement of said frame, means biasing said arms away from eachother, a flexible cutting member connecting therfree'ends of said arms, means rapidlyrdriv- 16 engaging said arms to bring them toward each other as they are moved upwardly. Y

13; In an asparagus picker having a Wheeled frame movable along an asparagus field, the combination therewith of,r a cutter comprising an arm pivoted at one end Y to swing about a horizontal axis, a cutting member rotatingA said free ends of said arms downwardly to bring said cutting member in front of a spear of asparagus in the'eld to sever the same, and cammeans on eachV pair of -plates .ably mounted on the free end of said arm to swing about an axis perpendicular to the axis of said arm, vand means simultaneously rapidly driving said free end of arm down- Vwardly and rotating said cutting member to bring said cutting member into a horizontal position at the base of spear of asparagus in the tieldto sever said spear at its ase.

14. In an asparagus picker having a wheeled frame movable along an asparagus field, the combination therewith of means cutting and transporting spears'of growing asparagus, comprising a conveyor belt having an elevated, generally horizontal stretch moving'transversely of the line Vof movement of said frame, means cutting the growing spears from the field, elevatingVV the same and depositing them butt first on said stretch, a pulley at the downstream end of said stretchoverwhich said stretch travels downwardly, and a second endless belthaving a stretch travelling lengthwise of the. line of lmovement of said frame alongside the portion ofsaid first mentioned stretch travelling downwardly'over said pulley whereby the spears of asparagus falling from said first mentioned stretch on rounding said pulley are caught by saidsecond belt.

15. An asparagus harvester, comprising a wheeled frame movable along Ian asparagusfield, sensing means on said frame arranged to be actuated'by tips of growing asparagus spears ofpredetermined height, a cutter mov-ably vmounted on said frame in position to sever at its base the spear actuating said sensing means, means actuated by said sensing means vand moving said cutter to engage and sever the spear sensed thereby, a pair of concentric rotors journalled on said frame on opposite sides of and having exible peripheral portions flanking ,the'spear being severed, 1a multiplicity of flexible lingers mounted around said peripheral portions at different distances from the periphery thereof in. opposed laxially extending relation to one another to grasp and embrace the spear being severed before :falling to the ground, means rotating said rotors to bringv said spear toa receiving station, and means T. GRAnAM Caravan, rrirmiryv Exahamer. Y CARL w. ROBINSON, RUSSELL R, KIINSEY, Y Examiners. 

1. AN ASPARAGUS HARVESTER, COMPRISING A WHEELED FRAME MOVABLE ALONG AN ASPARAGUS FIELD, SENSING MEANS ON SAID FRAME ARRANGED TO BE ACTUATED BY TIPS OF GROWING ASPARAGUS SPEARS OF PREDETERMINED HEIGHT, MEANS MOVABLY MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME PROVIDING A CUTTING EDGE EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY OF THE LINE OF TRAVEL OF THE HARVESTER IN POSITION TO SEVER AT ITS BASE THE SPEAR ACTUATING SAID SENSING MEANS, MEANS ACTUATED BY SAID SENSING MEANS AND MOVING SAID MEANS PROVIDING SAID CUTTING EDGE ALONG SAID LINE OF TRAVEL OF THE HARVESTER TO ENGAGE AND SEVER THE BASE ONLY OF THE SPEAR SENSED THEREBY TO CAUSE IT TO FALL BY GRAVITY TOWARD THE GROUND, MEANS ON SAID FRAME ARRANGED TO CATCH, SUBSEQUENT TO SAID SEVERING, THE SPEAR SEVERED BY SAID MEANS PROVIDING SAID CUTTING EDGE BEFORE FALLING FLAT ON THE GROUND, MEANS MOVING SAID SPEAR CATCHING MEANS AT A SPEED MUCH SLOWER THAN SAID MEANS PROVIDING SAID CUTTING EDGE TO A RECEIVING STATION, AND MEANS ACTUATING SAID SPEAR CATCHING MEANS TO RELEASE SAID SPEAR AT SAID RECEIVING STATION. 